A study on design, development, optimization and validation of product development framework for humidifier chamber

The upper airways of the patients under Mechanical Ventilation (MV) cannot humidify the inspired air by themselves, while heat and moisture exchange remain the most important criteria. Insufficient humidification leads to multiple issues while humidifiers, the devices used to add water molecules, gas and temperature, are used in MVs. There is a need exists to develop a new humidifier that can achieve 99% humidity, cost-effective, adheres to ISO standards and compact with controlled design. The aim of the current study is to develop an optimized product development framework for designing the humidifier chamber and to define the product testing guidelines for verification and validation of the humidification chamber. By following a step-wise methodology, the researchers compared the existing samples in the market, conducted CFD analysis for optimization, developed the prototype and framed the guidelines for testing and validation of the humidification chamber. The study found the optimum specifications given herewith as per the outcomes; Inlet/Outlet (mm) should be 22 M, Compressible volume should be 300 ml, Maximum water capacity should be 130 ml while maximum peak flow should be 180 L/min. Further, the resistance to flow should be 10 cm of H₂O and the diameter of chassis should be 120 mm. With the humidification chamber being made up of PP, PVC, Silicone and AL, the optimum weight of the chamber should be 125.6 g.